Meade thrilled with Iktitaf

Noel Meade moved to silence the doubters last night after Iktitaf’s victory in the Morgiana Hurdle at Punchestown on Sunday.

Despite beating Asian Maze, the champion hurdler Brave Inca and current two-mile champion chaser Newmill, the winners of 14 Grade One races between them, some critics suggested Iktitaf found little when let down off the bridle.